Thank you for stopping by the Weather Watch 12 blog! Get set to sweat! A tropical airmass takes aim at Wisconsin in less than 48 hours. In today's blog we discuss when heat and humidity return, and time out chances for showers and thunderstorms.

Let's start with a photo just before sunrise this morning in West Allis. I took this photo at State Fair Park looking east. The rising sun lit the underside of clouds resulting in a colorful scene. If you have a weather photo to share I'd love to see it! Tweet me @jnelsonweather or email it to ulocal@wisn.com

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After that nice sunrise, clouds began to increase. Expect lots of clouds today, and a good chance of showers and a few thunderstorms. Keep an umbrella on standby today. Showers will approach closer to midday in Milwaukee. By late afternoon or evening a few thunderstorms may push through the area. Futurecast below is valid at 6pm.

While I don't think we see severe weather today, pockets of heavy rain and downpours are possible with any thunderstorms that develop. The commute home from work is likely wet in some areas.

By Friday, heat and humidity start to surge north. A fan or air conditioning will be needed starting on Friday. Highs will push well into the 80s(maybe approach 90 in spots) with dew points well into the 60s. While a shower or thunderstorm can't be ruled out Friday, most of the day looks dry.

The weekend will start with a tropical feel as hot and humid weather takes over. Dew points, which are a measure of moisture will surge into the 70s! This represents a very uncomfortable airmass. The map below shows forecast dew point temperatures late Saturday. This forecast has dew points in the mid to upper 70s.

If this forecast is correct, plus air temperatures near 90°, there is a chance that a Heat Advisory may be needed in or near our area. Something to keep in mind if you have outdoor plans on Saturday.

With heat and humidity in place and a front to the northwest of our area, a chance of strong storms may emerge sometime this weekend. The Storm Prediction Center has slight risk of severe weather from Saturday into early Sunday very close to the Milwaukee metro area.

Futurecast shown below, has a cluster of potentially strong thunderstorms diving southeast Saturday morning. My confidence in this playing out this way is on the low side right now. I think a better chance of thunderstorms exists for southeast Wisconsin late Saturday into early Sunday.

If we do hit 90° this weekend, a streak of 674 consecutive days(thru 7/16/15) without a 90° temperature would end. This is currently the 4th longest streak ever in Milwaukee. After a cool start to summer we about to heat up in the coming days!